Luggage with you: TOP-5 suitcases for hand luggage

Gabol suitcases are known far beyond Spain, where the brand's homeland is located. They are produced under the motto "good quality for adequate money", a vivid confirmation of which is the Paradise S model.

An important advantage of a compact suitcase over its peers is a high-strength ABS plastic construction with increased resistance to wear and deformation. Agree, this significantly increases the chances of taking the luggage to the destination in integrity and safety. Most likely, you will not need to take the suitcase into the luggage compartment, since its dimensions fully correspond to the minimum set dimensions of hand luggage. But there are many more factors waiting for the traveler on the road, and they strive to damage the product.

With the organization of the interior space at Gabol Paradise S, everything is simple: a single compartment for things (34 liters in volume) is divided in half by a zipper partition with a mesh pocket. There are no other additional pockets in the model. If you still decide to put the suitcase in the luggage, the code lock of the TSA system will be responsible for the safety of the contents, which can only be unlocked by authorized representatives of the customs services without the owner's knowledge.

On the floor, the travel bag rides silently, relying on 4 wheels rotating around its own axis. In one bundle with them, a telescopic handle with a push-button lock works to set the desired height. The suitcase is aimed at active travelers, and, perhaps, this is the best solution in a plastic version from representatives of the kind of state employees.

On the eve of entering the big market under the Rock brand, which happened in 1997, the family company from London already had solid experience in the production of products for the transportation of luggage. Over the next 20 years, it has multiplied many times, thanks to which the brand's products can now be seen on the shelves of many east european stores.

In the assortment of suitcases that meet the requirements of most airlines for the size of hand luggage, one of the lightest is the ROCK Deluxe-Lite S model. The product's own weight barely exceeds 1.8 kg, which was achieved through the use of a special fabric material Twist Polyester. The useful volume of the "insides" of the suitcase is 30 liters and another 10% of this figure is added when the expansion valve is opened.

The interior of the model is represented by one compartment equipped with compression ties for fixing luggage, and a zipper pocket. There is a similar pocket with a larger size outside, where it is convenient to put essentials and useful small things. All zippers on board the ROCK Deluxe-Lite S are designed for 5-10K cycles of fastening and unbuttoning, and the contents of the suitcase are protected from criminal encroachments by the code lock of the TSA system. As a result, only authorized representatives of the customs services can open the luggage without the owner's knowledge as part of their direct duties.

The British did not forget about the convenience of transporting a suitcase, having prudently installed it on 4 paired wheels with a soft and silent running. In conjunction with a telescopic handle fixed in three positions, rolling the model on the floor is equally comfortable for people of different heights. A practical addition to the design is the lining on the bottom and corners of the case, placed on guard against shocks and damage, which allows the suitcase to remain intact for longer during numerous trips.

The popularity of the Epic POP 4X series of Swedish suitcases is due to their high reliability. It is not for nothing that the fourth generation of timeless classics, designed to serve for the benefit of travelers for many years, is already presented on the shelves.

The suitcase body made of TwinTech composite material combines the properties of ABS plastic and polycarbonate, i.e. it is both durable and elastic at the same time. In addition, its rough outer shell has increased resistance to scratches, keeping its presentation longer. An integral part of the design is four silent wheels with 360° rotation.

The "insides" of the model are divided in two by a partition, directly in which there are two zippered pockets. In each of the compartments, compression straps are provided for fixing luggage, so that upon arrival at the destination it does not mix into a single "mess". In general, the organization of the interior space can be called competent — there is more than enough space in it for both a business trip and an avid traveler who prefers to carry luggage directly on board the aircraft as hand luggage.

Just in case, the Epic POP 4X IV S is equipped with a combination lock with a TSA customs inspection function. Its presence will be useful when sending a suitcase to the luggage compartment of an aircraft. For such purposes, it is desirable to choose a brighter colour of the model, so that later you do not have to look for it with your eyes on the transport tape in the baggage claim area among the abundance of similar analogues.

The suitcase with the American pedigree Osprey Ozone 36 looks, at first glance, like a backpack. It is given out by a telescopic handle, and on closer inspection — also a pair of wheels with good cross-country ability not only on smooth asphalt, but also on cobblestone pavement.

The rigidity of the entire suitcase structure is given by a high-strength aluminium alloy frame. At the same time, the empty product weighs less than 2 kg. It has a whole scattering of external and internal pockets for storing documents and magazines, other related small things and things that did not fit into the main compartment with a volume of 36 liters. Access to the latter opens through a hinged lid with its own zippered pocket.

In the lower part of the body of the model there is a platform with a wheelbase and a footrest for the convenience of placing the suitcase "in the parking lot". You can also carry it manually, which is facilitated by the handles on the upper end and on the side. The dimensions of the product fully correspond to the dimensions required for hand luggage, so that a suitcase can be taken on board an airplane without the slightest scruple.

The closest relative of the Osprey Ozone 36 is a model with an additional prefix Convertible. This is still the same compact travel bag on wheels and with a retractable handle, but with the possibility of transformation into a backpack — straps and a back for carrying a hybrid suitcase on the shoulders are hidden in the back panel "under the cover" of a zipper. Both in this form and in the classic, the bag is well suited for traveling light and long-distance flights.

The Swedish company Thule is a recognized world leader in the production of everything and everything related to the transportation of luggage. And although the main specialization of the brand are aeroboxes and all kinds of fasteners for cargo, suitcases are also given a significant amount of attention.

The Thule Subterra Carry-On 36L model fits the parameters of hand luggage for most airlines — the dimensions of the travel bag are 550x350x200 mm, which leaves another 5 cm of margin in width. The material for the outer "wrapper" of the suitcase was nylon with moisture-repellent properties, "put on" an exoskeleton made of cast polycarbonate. Thanks to the strong frame, the product holds its shape well.

The suitcase managed to get at the disposal of a reinforced V-Tubing telescopic handle and a pair of non-rotating wheels of increased size. As a result, you can safely roll it even on a primer — you never know where you will be taken by a difficult one during your travels. Also, by means of a special strap, it is possible to attach an additional hiking bag to the "body" of the Thule Subterra Carry-On 36L.

The most interesting thing is hidden inside the suitcase, where the main compartment is divided into compartments, which allows for separate storage of things. A pressure panel is attached to the "insides" to increase the capacity due to the compaction of clothing. As a bonus, the owner of the suitcase is offered an external zippered pocket with an organizer and a carabiner for a bunch of keys. The deterrent factor from the immediate order of a suitcase is the high cost, but in this case it is fully justified by the appropriate level of quality.